@taufic, As an older expat with health issues who lived in Kunming for six years, I have to agree with those cautioning about the level of care and treatment you can expect. Worst case is an emergency requiring competent critical care that, given a large number of variables, is delayed or just not available. Once admitted to a hospital, you may be denied a critical document required to board a Chinese airliner by the hospital.
Someone who has never been an inpatient in a Kunming hospital, does not have a child needing specialized care and needs to go to Hong Kong for daily medications is not giving you a fair assessment of the Kunming medical situation.
Remember, worst case is your daughter dies. Ask yourself if you are willing to watch her die while you argue with medical people, intent on CYA, through a non medically trained interpreter.
HEllo Geezer
thank you for your honesty
your letter really scare me and caused me think again
indeed my daughter is diabetic, however she is healthy and nonetheless she is my world and the important thing in my life and i will not Endanger her
Hi,
I think you should call the International Clinic, they have American doctors who are very familiar with the level of health care in Kunming, they are the best people to ask
www.gokunming.com/[...]
@Yes, why not connect with the International Clinic? But like I said, the daily medications can be brought from Hong Kong, if they are not available here, and my guess is that they are. I have US and Dutch friends with diabetes ( about 60 and about 50, respectively), doesn't have to go anywhere for medical condition, they've both lived here for over 10 years, and the Dutch guy takes long bicycle trips alone. But it's not something I know about - better to ask professionals.
Best advice: have someone who speaks Chinese inquire with various hospitals before you come. Just call them and find out the situation, care, cost and medication available.
2: befriend someone high up at the hospital as you can get priority treatment. Especially useful if you have a child that needs frequent treatment. You may still have to wait a long time.
There are private hospitals and clinics too. They may have a larger stock and assortment of medicine. (Some are affiliated to foreign organizations or hospitals). The price is usually about 2-3 times that of a public hospital. But that's still a lot less than you pay in western countries. Lines tend to be shorter too.
Military hospitals are also often with very high quality doctors and diagnosis equipment / labs.
After a diagnosis or treatment starts at a hospital, they may refer you to a private doctor who has his own clinic or is affiliated with the hospital. (The hospitals need space). These can be much more specialized than the hospital doctors sometimes (but be careful as there may be less control). Both in western and Chinese medicine. Check the reputation.
A shabby place with cobwebs and broken tiles can have a top doctor. A modern, well-equipped place may be horribly inexperienced.
3: Do a blood-donation when you come here. They give you a small booklet that gives you priority access to blood in case of emergency, operation, transfusion or other reason.
It also applies to your direct family members if you did the donation and not them.
A number of the hospitals have VIP centres. Basically you pay 100rmb for a consult, but you don't have to join long queues, and units are away from the main hospital waiting areas, and you don't get the crowds and stares, which can be a bit unsettling for small children when they are sick.
Hello tigertiger
thank you
do you have names or addresses of VIP centers please
Usually ever place has a 'VIP' option. This is one way they can milk you for your money. It also makes you feel important and special. Ha..ha.
Or, they make you feel important and special so that they can milk you for your money.
